Looking to move at 7+ to commutable Surrey/ Kent

[Birch67]

So we can live closer to my Mum we are looking to move to Surrey or Kent in the coming years. Currently DS is at a prep school and we would have liked Dulwich College if we didn't need to move.

We are very open in terms of location, we would be buying something for us to have my Mum with us or have something for her nearby. Basically the commutable SE is our oyster!

Which schools should I be going to look around?

My initial look hasn't proved terribly fruitful, it seems to me that the 7+ is more of a London thing? Also, the destination schools of many preps seem more mixed than in London?

[sleepismysuperpower1]

Walmer in Kent? its a 15 minute drive to dover, where dover college is located. they don't do 7+ as they don't have an entrance exam, but (thinking ahead) their GCSE and A-Level results are still v good despite this. there are things your dc can join in on to meet new people, such as a local scout group. all the best x

[LIZS]

What do you have in mind for secondary? 11/13+ entry, coed or ss , sporty/music etc. Competitive 7+ is less of a thing but most preprep/preps have an intake then. There are a number of linked prep schools near Tunbridge Wells but that may be further than you hope to commute.

[Birch67]

Thank you, I'll have a look at Dover College.

@LISZ for secondary we are fine with either coed or ss, I don't think DS is likely to be sporty and don't require somewhere to be at St Paul's or Eton academically but would like somewhere he will be stretched. I'll have a look at Tunbridge Wells options!

[LIZS]

Sevenoaks area might also be worth a look, several good prep schools in the area and could look at Sevenoaks school, Tonbridge or Kent grammars. Or East Grinstead.

[JoJoSM2]

I'm in Sutton so still in London but from South Sutton you can walk to the countryside + it's super leafy and there are many large detached houses if you wanted an annex for your mum. There are several preps nearby (selective or not, single sex and co-ed so a decent choice). It also gives you tons of options for senior schools (20+ commutable) in and out of London. The most popular choices are probably Epsom College, Whitgift and King's College School but there's loads more choice.

[JoJoSM2]

Oh, Sutton is a prime retirement spot if your mum wanted her own retirement flat/bungalow etc

[PolkaPenguin]

Loads of options in Surrey...

RGS Guildford is similar to Dulwich and has boys coming from afar for it. It is a really special, strong school.

St John's and Epsom and two great co-Ed's going from strength to strength

Reed's is boys only until sixth form and always been popular

City of London Freemen's - although had a mixed reputation

Churchers if you are moving further out

There are the Croydon/caterham area options too- caterham school, Reigate Grammar, Whitgift, trinity

[PolkaPenguin]

Apologies just saw you are looking for 7+. It is more the case of joining a prep which feeds the kind of schools you are looking for.

Of my above, churchers is all-through

For RGS, St. John's, reeds you could look at Lanesborough prep, Danes hill, downsend

Millbourne Prep in Esher is strong

Barrow Hills now feeds Kind Edwards Witley

[JoJoSM2]

Actually, I think Reigate Grammar operates a feeder system so children from Chinthurst can get offers without sitting the 11+. For all-through schools, you could look at Claremont Fan or Royal Russell. Both are more mixed ability than Dulwich + co-ed. The 7-18 system seems to be an inner London thing.

[milliefiori]

For boys' prep Lanesborough, Millbourne Lodge and Shrewsbury House, Daneshill and Downsend are all popular in Surrey. Some of them are feeders to public schools (Millbourne esp has a reputation for Eton) and Lanesborough has a link with RGS Guildford.

There seems to be a trend towards many of the independent secondaries preferring an 11+ intake over the traditional 13+ these days. Check that any school you go for is geared up for this.

Surrey is full of pretty villages and small towns that are commutable. But it seems to be a lot more expensive than Kent. (We're thinking of moving to Kent from Surrey for retirement as you get all the ebenfits for half the price.)

In Kent, I'd go for the area around Sevenoaks. Pretty countryside. Super easy commute into South Bank, West End or City, so very versatile.

[MGry]

I grew up in Kent and it's fab - best of countryside and commutable too. Many friends have moved back there with their families and my retired parents have an active life there too. In terms of schools there are lots of transport links to various schools from Sevenoaks and Tonbridge areas. my friends' boys and girls jump on a bus to Caterham School from Sevenoaks and seem very happy there.

[Birch67]

Thanks so much for the suggestions everyone. It's good to have a list to look through as I was feeling quite bereft at the thought of leaving London when it in fact looks like we will have many more and better choices. Lanesborough which has been mentioned a few times looks amazing.

I also like the idea of Sevenoaks, which prep schools could I look at there?

Thanks again everyone for your time, these are really helpful.

[milliefiori]

@Birch67 Lanesborough is the feeder to RGS which is an absolutely brilliant school. I don't know anyone who has a bad word to say about it.

[JoJoSM2]

www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/find-a-school-in-england

OP, you can use this website to get a complete list of preps in the Sevenoaks area (just filter by independent).